Friday, 14 September 2018

Nintendo Direct 13-September-2018 [Gaming]

Well, that was a content packed Direct. And it all
started with Luigi’s Mansion. While I’m not big on the series, it was still
great to see a third game announced as coming to the Switch. The original game
being ported to the 3DS was also shown off with a new local multiplayer mode.

Other 3DS games included Kirby’s Epic Yarn going Extra Epic
with a port, Mario and Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey
being shown off and given a date of 25-Jan, and Yo-Kai Watch Blasters getting
new content at the end of the month.

Splatoon 2 is getting new content in Version 4. It looks
as though some sort of 1vs100 mode is being added, so that should be
interesting. Along with new styles and new weapons, it also looks as though
there might be new things added to the solo missions and Salmon Run.

Mega Man 11 was shown off, Capcom Beat ‘em Up Bundle was
announced with seven classic games being available for it, Katamari Damacy is
being remastered for Switch, Diablo 3: Eternal is coming, as is Cities
Skylines.

Mario Tennis Aces is getting four new characters, two of
which I’m happy to be seeing. Paratroopa was one of my favourites in Mario
Kart: Double Dash, and Petey Piranha was fun to race with, so getting them in
Tennis Aces when both have seemingly dropped off the radar somewhat is a
surprise. The other two are Birdo and Shy Guy.

A decent surprise in a deluxe version of New Super Mario
Bros. U with New Super Luigi U included. The only two of these I’ve played are
the DS and Wii games, and while I’ve got my eye on this, 2D platformers are not
for me. I’ve tried countless times, but it never feels right with me.

Yoshi’s new game has appeared for the first time in ages,
and it certainly looks a lot better than it did during E3 2017. Crafted World
is coming sometime in the spring, and it certainly has taken the crafted feel
to the maximum.

Pokémon Let’s Go: Pikachu / Eevee featured, as did Super
Mario Party, and Starlink: Battle For Atlas. A sizzle reel included Warframe,
Just Dance, FIFA, NBA, Team Sonic Racing, and LEGO DC Super-Villains. The World
Ends With You Final Remix and the Xenoblade 2 DLC featured as well, along with
Daemon x Machina.

Tabletop games are being brought to Switch via Asmodee
Digital. Real tabletop games in video game form. Seems like it could provide
some fun. Civilization VI is also coming to Switch with four player local play.
Game Freak are also building a new RPG in the form of Town [Working Title] that
keeps the focus exclusively in one village. I’ve got my eye on this.

Before the end, a Final Fantasy explosion happened. Crystal
Chronicles is being remastered for Switch, and XV Pocket Edition HD is already
out. These two we knew of. What we didn’t know of was World of Final Fantasy
Maxima, Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon, VII, IX, X, and X-2. A lot of Final Fantasy,
then.

Last was expected. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate content.
After the special edition Switch was announced, Isabelle was shown in her
office. She got an invite. TO SMASH! Yup, Isabelle is in Smash Ultimate. After
showing her off in-game, the trailer shows Tom Nook. Surely he can’t be in
Smash, too? Nope, ANIMAL CROSSING IS COMING IN 2019 FOR SWITCH!

I just wanted to know it was coming, and it is. The
Direct was full of content, running at a very brisk pace to show it all off,
and the announcements… I can’t choose what I liked the best. Well, Animal
Crossing of course, but aside from that there was a lot shown off. Nintendo
Switch Online had a charming trailer featuring Mario characters, though it didn’t
show much off we didn’t already know. Those NES Joy-Con are good for people who
like playing with them.

It was enjoyable, and thanks to the announcement of
Animal Crossing, I know I’ll be in for a good time next year. And with that
announcement, I can announce this early. The Future of Mario Kart series on
this blog is ending, with the new series of ideas generation looking at Animal
Crossing and how that can grow.

So that was the Direct of 13-September. I’ve had my say,
so what did you like best from it?